Friday was a special afternoon at Portland Medical Center, when patients ages 90 or older were given a special birthday party at the medical center. The waiting room was turned into a magical place celebrating their lives.
The idea to recognize these patients came to Family Care Clinic nurse practitioner Lisa Nazarenus one day when she realized that she had seen five patients aged 90 or over that morning. She and the staff researched their records to see how many patients they had in that age group and found that there were 23. They decided to celebrate their lives. Seventeen of the 23 came to the celebration that was held Friday, June 2. Five were 91 years old, three 92, one 93, one 94, two 95, and five 96.
“It was rewarding to me that not only the medical competency continues but the genuine care and concern for our patients persists. I was very happy and pleased to celebrate the longevity of some of my long time friends,” said retired Dr. John Taylor, who founded the practice in 1984.
The ladies were given crowns to wear and banners which read Birthday Queen. The tables were decorated with vases of flowers with a large poster on the wall reading “Aged to Perfection” outlined with an arch of gold, silver and black balloons.
As refreshments were served, Nazarenus, Family nurse practitioner Ashlea Lamberth, and physician assistant Timothy Kurtz went around the table introducing each guest and reading some of their comments from a form they had completed.
The group reported many different first jobs with some being paid 10 to 25 cents an hour. Some of their first jobs included farming, working at the shoe factory in Gallatin, the strawberry cannery, telephone operator, picking cotton and driving a milk truck to Nashville for $50 a week. One worked at a defense plant, possibly working on atomic bombs, and another spent 26 years on his first job as a candy maker as he helped make King Leo stick candy.
Their growing-up years showed a different lifestyle than children growing up today. Many enjoyed fishing, playing in barn lofts, playing ball, playing games like Annie Over and hopscotch, playing with dolls, swimming in a creek, playing with paper dolls, marbles, jump rope and playing with toy cars often made from wood by the children.
Many of them walked as much as six miles each way to school. One guest said he walked about a mile to school and that one morning it was 22 degrees below zero.
When asked about what was their secret of a long life, there were many varied answers but several of the most mentioned items were being a Christian, staying busy and eating healthy. One man said his long life was attributed to beans, potatoes, poke salad, and cornbread. One lady laughed as she said coffee and cigarettes.
The group remains active with many enjoying church activities. Others do quilting, sewing, gardening, building and repairing items, farming, boating, and mowing yards.
Six of the guests were veterans serving in the Army, Navy and Air Force. One obtained a fake birth certificate to join the Navy at 16.
There were several interesting facts. Two of the couples had long marriages. One couple had been married 70 years and another 75 years. One guest had visited all 50 states. Another had worked on the Hartsville nuclear plant before construction was halted. Several remember not having indoor plumbing, and another remembered getting electricity at age 13.
Several leaders in the community attended. In addition, News Channel 5 sent someone to cover the event.
“It was very kind for them to honor and celebrate their older patients. It was a fun and uplifting time,” Mayor Mike Callis said.
“This was a wonderful event put together by Portland Medical Clinic. It was humbling to see so much life experience in one room,” Portland Police Chief Jason Williams said. “The stories of long-time marriages, childhood, and work experiences were heartwarming.”
Portland Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Sherri Ferguson said. “It was such a blessing to me to see the smiles on all their faces. Portland Medical did a great job celebrating their lives.”
Those attending were Coley and Mildred Brown (married 70 years), Norma Woofter, Parnell Suttle, Trina Davis, Winfied (Blackey) and Gradie Hastings (married 75 years), Irene Brooks, John Bentle, Helen Callis, Gwenneth Sebring, Richard Gibbs, Marie Robertson, Betty Pennington, Jean Briley, Leonard Groves and Charlie Potts.
It was a heartwarming event that recognized some of the area’s finest citizens. It was another example of why Portland is an amazing place to live.